The Famundo Blog: Category Technology

Looking for BETA testers for Smartphone/PDA Synchronization

cosmin.andriescu@famundo.com (Cosmin Andriescu) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:35:00 -0400

As you may know already we recently released a synchronization module between MS Outlook and Famundo (steps on how to install it can be found here).

We are actively looking for BETA testers that will help us take live the synchronization with different devices:

SyncML-enabled phones, including many models from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericcson, Samsung and others
Windows Mobile devices running Windows Mobile 5
iPods
Devices such as BlackBerries and Palm Treos (will be supported via 3rd party tools or community software)

If you are interested in joining our BETA program please send us a short email to support@famundo.com with the details of the device you have access to.

Thank you for you help.

Cosmin Andriescu

Famundo LLC

Redesigned Famundo Forums launches

cosmin.andriescu@famundo.com (Cosmin Andriescu) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:46:00 -0400

We have switched our Famundo Forums to an even better solution. Nicer interface, easier to use (or so we think).

Please visit it everytime you have a question regarding the product, an issue to report or new ideas for us. Enjoy!

http://forum.famundo.com

Upgrade to Famundo for Families Plus!

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:25:00 -0400

Users of our free standard version of Famundo for Families can now upgrade to Famundo for Families Plus and enjoy no ads, more file and photo storage and much more. For a complete list of features, please visit our features page.

To upgrade, click on the Upgrade link on the Famundo banner. You have the option of paying a monthly fee of $9.95 or an annual subscription of $99. And, for a limited time, annual subscribers receive 14 months for the cost of 12!

Getting your family hooked on Famundo

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:00:00 -0400

I have to admit, it even took some time for me to get my family hooked on Famundo. But now they’re hooked. In fact, we’ve even turned Famundo into a verb, “Why don’t you Famundo that” or “Would you Famundo this for me?”.

Here is how I got them hooked. We have a main computer in the family room which is always on. Everyone in the family uses it for various activities.

I made my Famundo calendar page the homepage for my browser, FireFox, and I leave the browser open all the time.

Now, everyone can easily glance at the calendar if they need and since Famundo is already open, it’s a snap to add something to the grocery list or look up someone’s phone number.

To make your Famundo calendar your browser’s homepage, you can follow the instructions below.

1. Log into Famundo. (I logged in as myself, since I don’t have anything private and this gives full access to everyone)

2. Do the following, depending on what browser you are using:

FireFox

Click on Tools > Options on the main menu.
Click on the Main icon
Click on Use Current Pages button
Click on the OK button.

Internet Exlporer

Click on Tools > Internet Options on the main menu.
Click on the General tab
Click on Use Current button
Click on the OK button.

Safari

Click on Edit > Preferences on the main menu.
Click on the General icon
Click on Set to Current Page button
Close the Preferences window. .

Scratch - Computer Programming for Kids

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:29:00 -0400

This is VERY cool. Scratch is a FREE programming language that is designed specifically for kids ages 8 and up.

Developed at MIT, Scratch makes it easy to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art—and share them on the web.

It works on both PCs and Macs.

Download it here!

More OLPC News

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:08:00 -0400

This is a project I have been following for a while now and find it interesting that the the nonprofit One Laptop per Child project may reverse its previous position of not distributing their kid-friendly laptops in the United States.

We can’t ignore the United States. ... We are looking at it very seriously,” Nicholas Negroponte, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology academic who founded the project, told analysts and reporters.

The machines would go at a higher price to U.S. schools, he said, because more resources are invested in American education than in developing nations, even in the poorest U.S. regions.

Read the whole article here.

Edubuntu, Linux for Kids

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:30:00 -0500

I have been using Edubuntu on one of my home computers for a while now. It is an excellent solution for the family, since I can use it as my Linux box and my daughter loves the games and educational features that are included.

I’m surprised I haven’t written about Edubuntu before. At any rate, I was spurred on by this humorous article by PC Mag’s Sascha Segan My baby is turning 1. It’s time to get her a laptop.

According to Segan, “Kids should use the same tech stuff that grown-ups use, with age-appropriate restrictions.” Its a good read.

One Laptop Per Child Update

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:52:00 -0500

According to this article at News.com, eight nations are set to receive $150 laptops as part of the nonprofit One Laptop Per Child project starting this month.

From Brazil to Pakistan, some of the world’s poorest children will peer across the digital divide this month—reading electronic books, shooting digital video, creating music and chatting with classmates online.

Though only 2,500 will be delivered this month, it is a prelude mass production scheduled to begin in July, when 5 million will be built. The project’s operators also expect the prices to drop by next year to $100 per laptop.

Click here to learn more about the OLPC Project.

Issue #1 of The Father Life is here!

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:39:31 -0500

FatherLife, a new webzine for dads, has launched it’s inaugural issue!

This month’s cover story is on Magni, front man for the Icelandic rock band, A Moti Sol, on how fatherhood is influencing his music. Other stories include a profile on artist, Joe Guy Allard, plus regular features on food, fashion, film and gadgets.

It’s a well designed, good read. The FatherLife is downloadable in .doc or .pdf format.

I’m looking forward to future issues. Check it out!

Family 2.0 reviews Famundo!

richard.kuhlenschmidt@famundo.com (Richard Kuhlenschmidt) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:23:44 -0500

A great article about Famundo on Family 2.0 today. Thank you very much!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Family 2.0, it is a very cool site and a MUST read if you want to keep on top of the latest developments in web applications that relate to parenting and family life. It is the equivalent of TechCrunch for the Family 2.0 space.

The person behind Family 2.0 is Rachel Cook who is also a co-founder, along with her husband Clay Cook, of Minti, a parent to parent advice-opedia and community website. Minti is a great place to find advice on a wide range of parenting topics.

Check them out!